One month ago, we boarded a train called The Canadian in
Toronto.

We were bent on celebrating 50 Canadians Who Changed the
World – the majority of whom are alive and thriving — by following in the
footsteps of those who created this nation by running steel rails across it. We
called this endeavor The VIA-Rail, Cross-Canada, Ocean-to-Ocean, Book-Tour
Extravaganza.

Faithful readers of this blog (hi, mom!) will know that Our
Hero made stops in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Canmore, Banff, and Jasper. After
enduring many hardships and overcoming countless obstacles, he reached
Vancouver, made his way to English Bay and, carrying a copy of his new book
(which paints a vivid portrait of cutting-edge Canada, if I do say so myself),
waded into the Pacific Ocean.

Then came the second leg of the train journey, traveling on
VIA-Rail’s “Ocean”: Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax. This afternoon, acting
on the advice of locals, and assisted by a trio of volunteers, Our Hero made
his way to Point Pleasant Park. There, despite a steady rain and a rocky shoreline
that would have deterred a less intrepid author, he waded into the Atlantic
Ocean, thus accomplishing his declared objective: ocean-to-ocean.  He was tempted to build a cairn.

This evening: Alderney Gate Public Library, 7 p.m. Tomorrow,
Wednesday: return to the Centre of the Universe. Thursday: Canada A.M., 8:40 in
the morning.  As always, photos by Sheena
Fraser McGoogan. For the rest, check out www.50Canadians.ca.
Somebody is going to win a copy of 50
Canadians Who Changed the World. Oh, and someone else will take home a
$5,000 VIA-Rail travel voucher. Bon voyage!